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Much of the discussion around the Government's rewiring the state agenda is focused on funding, governance and effective state capacity.But when creating a state that is more responsive, preventative and locally driven, building a culture of collaboration deserves just as much attention.No single part of the public sector can expect to sustain positive results in isolation. National, regional and local government must work together with a willingness to collaborate and learn from each other.Formal governance structures should support collaborative culture, creating environments where trust, shared accountability and joint problem-solving are just as valued as statutory regimes and reporting requirements.Many policy outcomes the Government wants to achieve – from delivering more housing, boosting employment and skills, and generating good growth – depend heavily on councils' local leadership, convening power, expertise and capacity. Success will not be determined on where powers sit on an organisational chart, but on how we collaborate and involve citizens.Too often public services are fragmented by siloed thinking and competing priorities. Rewiring the State is a chance to move beyond this model towards one built on genuine partnership and systems thinking.Organisational culture is integral. We will need investment in collaborative leadership throughout the state – developing the skills, relationships and behaviours to work across boundaries.Formal governance structures should support collaborative culture, creating environments where trust, shared accountability and joint problem-solving are just as valued as statutory regimes and reporting requirements.We are already showing what this looks like with the London Infrastructure Framework, a single document created through collaboration, where all 33 local authorities and the mayor have agreed infrastructure priorities linked to our city-wide growth plan. This is a challenging process, but London's leaders have worked together to identify a pipeline of 51 projects to put to government and investors.This, and other examples from across the country, demonstrate the kind of partnership working that can unlock better outcomes.Lasting change does not just come from rewiring institutions. It needs a rewiring of the way those institutions work together, with residents at their heart. As the Government decides the next steps on this agenda, collaborative culture should be recognised as a cornerstone of success.Alison Whiteley is chief executive of London Councils

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LEADERSHIP

Rewiring the State: Why collaborative leadership matters for local government

By Alison Whiteley | 16 October 2026

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